Find a Bankruptcy Lawyer in Bellevue, Washington

Find the right Bankruptcy attorney in Bellevue, WA

  • /10
  • Client Overall
    Satisfaction Rate*
*TrustPilot score as of 010118

Bankruptcy in Bellevue, Washington is a court procedure which allows an individual or business who is drowning in debt to be absolved of their legal obligation to pay off some or all of their debt. Hopefully, this will allow both the debtor and creditors to move on with their lives. However, bankruptcy is not a free ride, allowing someone who simply doesn't feel like paying their debts to get out of that legal obligation. It is designed to prevent debt which has minimal chance of ever being paid back from ruining the life and finances of the debtor. It also carries significant long-term consequences, which must be carefully weighed against the potential benefits. For example, bankruptcy makes it very difficult for the debtor to obtain credit in the near future.

For that reason, it would be prudent to speak with a good Bellevue, Washington bankruptcy attorney. This attorney will be able to advise you as to whether or not filing for bankruptcy is a good idea, given your individual situation. This determination is highly dependent on the details of each individual case, so a Bellevue attorney's advice is absolutely indispensable.

Types of Bankruptcy in Bellevue, Washington

There are three basic bankruptcy schemes that are most commonly used in Bellevue: Chapters 7, 13, and 11. Bankruptcy is a creation of federal law, so the procedure for filing for bankruptcy in Bellevue, Washington will be roughly the same as it would be anywhere else in the U.S. Chapter 7 bankruptcy involves liquidation of some of the debtor's assets to pay off as much of his or her debt as possible. Once the liquidation is fulfilled, and the proceeds given to the creditors, the rest of the debt is discharged. Liquidation is essentially selling assets to the highest bidder. Only some of the debtor's assets have to be sold, and varied classes of property are exempt, meaning that the debtor can keep them, including homes, cars, insurance policies, and retirement accounts. It should be noted that certain types of debt cannot be discharged through Chapter 7 bankruptcy, including student loans, child support payments, criminal fines, and recent taxes.

The other form of bankruptcy most often used in Bellevue is Chapter 13. It allows a person to pay off their debt over a prolonged period of time, often consolidating it into one periodic payment. In this system, the amount of money the debtor owes is not actually reduced, but the payment of the debt is made far more manageable. This gives the debtor some breathing room, allowing him to continue to earn a living while gradually paying down his debts, and gives some security to creditors that they will eventually collect all or most of what they're owed. Chapter 11 bankruptcy is almost exclusively used by businesses, but there is nothing that legally prevents it from being used by individuals, and its use by individuals is very rare. Chapter 11 bankruptcy requires the debtor to come up with a restructuring plan - telling the court how they propose to cut costs, improve their operations, and pay down their debts. The plan has to be approved by a majority vote of participating creditors.

While going through Chapter 11 bankruptcy, a business can continue operations, and its stock can continue to be traded.

How Can a Bellevue Bankruptcy Lawyer Help?

The need to consider all the options and consider the costs and benefits of filing for bankruptcy in Bellevue cannot be overstated. If you are considering filing for bankruptcy, it would be a good idea to speak with a Bellevue bankruptcy attorney beforehand.

Talk to a Bankruptcy & Finances Law Attorney now!

Life in Bellevue

Bellevue is located in King County, Washington. It is near Lake Washington and Seattle. Per the 2010 census, it has a population of approximately 122,363 people. The city is well-recognized now because in 2008, CNNMoney ranked it as one of the best places to live and launch a business. Recently, it was ranked fourth as one of the best places to live in the U.S. The city's nickname is "beautiful view."

Popular sites include the Bellevue Arts Museum, the Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art, KidsQuest Children's Museum, and Meydenbauer Center.

Bellevue is also home to many practicing attorneys who have established their practices via small firms or local law offices. Thus, residents have access to competent attorneys who focus on providing personalized, as well as excellent, legal services.

Famous residents include Ann Wilson, Megan Hilty, William S. Ayer, Jeff Ulbrich, Deon Butler, Martin Harrison, Michael Brantley, Aaron Curry, and Tim Lincecum.

Overall, this is a wonderful city to visit or call home!